Asheville, North Carolina News

Archive for June, 2011

ASHEVILLE, NC – The City of Asheville is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for the recruitment and selection of the Asheville Police Chief.

“This national recruitment process will ensure that we build public input into our process and that we have a highly qualified, diverse applicant pool,” City Manager Gary Jackson said.

The recruitment and selection process will likely be complete by February 2012. There will be extensive stakeholder input, including internal interviews, community focus groups and an e-mail address created specifically for receiving responses from the public on this important process.

ASHEVILLE, NC –

Effective July 1:

Prenatal Care services will no longer be offered at Buncombe County Department of Health; however, the Department of Health will continue to provide support services for pregnant women and children, and will continue to be responsible for assuring access to prenatal care services.

The following providers will assure that prenatal care services are available for pregnant women who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured and under-insured:

MAHEC Women’s Health – located at 93 Victoria Rd, near the hospitals (258-1202)

Effective July 12:

STD Services (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) will be joining other Clinical Services at 53 S. French Broad Ave in downtown Asheville. This building is located at the corner of S. French Broad Ave and Hilliard Street, across the street from Aston Park and from United Way.

Buncombe County Department of Health
Services & Locations (as of July 2011)

ASHEVILLE, NC – The Asheville Tourists finished their series against the Rome Braves winning 12-4 Sunday afternoon. Asheville won three out of four against Rome and scored a total of 38 runs in the four games.

Erik Stavert (3-4, 7.32) picked up the victory for Asheville pitching 6.2 innings and allowing just four runs on eight hits. Stavert had the advantage of the Tourists offense giving him plenty of run support as the team pounded out 15 hits, ten of which went for extra-bases.

Rome took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Tourists used three doubles in the second inning to score a pair and take a 2-1 lead. In the third, Asheville loaded the bases with no outs and Chandler Laurent drilled a Grand Slam over the wall in center. The Grand Slam was the first of the season for the Tourists and it put Asheville in front 6-1.

The Tourists tacked on one more in the fourth on an RBI single from Kyle Parker. Rome made it a three run game with a three-spot in the top of the fifth inning. Hilton Richardson doubled in a pair and David Rohm brought in a run with a ground-out to short.

The home team answered right back in their half of the fifth with three more runs. The Tourists once again hit three doubles in an inning. Corey Dickerson walked and stole second. With one out Avery Barnes doubled home Dickerson. After Joey Wong was retired, Brett Tanos and Cristhian Adames hit back-to-back doubles making it a 10-4 Tourists lead.

In the sixth inning, Dickerson connected with his 15th Home Run of the season, a solo shot that just cleared the scoreboard in right-center. Asheville added another in the seventh on a Tanos RBI single to right and held on from there.

The Tourists received multi-hit games from Tanos, Wong, Laurent, Dickerson, Parker, and Adames. Barnes, Dustin Garneau, and Helder Velazquez each contributed one hit as well; all doubles. Asheville finished with a season-high eight doubles in the game.

Kraig Sitton and Taylor Reid pitched the final 2.1 innings for the Tourists and neither of them allowed a base-runner. In the ninth inning, Velazquez made a catch against the Tourists dugout and went toppling head over heels into his teammates.

Asheville now heads to Greenville to open a seven game road trip beginning Monday night at Fluor Field with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05.

ASHEVILLE, NC – More than 100 faculty and administrators from colleges around the country will gather at UNC Asheville June 28-30 for a conference aimed at strengthening undergraduate research in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics. The conference is hosted by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), which is headquartered at UNC Asheville.

Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and facilitated by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), COPLAC will hold this workshop and a follow-up meeting next year. COPLAC members will use the sessions to share ideas and develop new initiatives aimed at strengthening undergraduate research programs. COPLAC is one of only three awardees chosen by the NSF for this national effort to expand undergraduate research.

“This grant will enable 23 of the 26 COPLAC campuses to take their undergraduate research programs to the next level,” said William Spellman, COPLAC director. “Within our consortium there are campuses with thriving undergraduate research programs as well as those that are just beginning. With the direction of the facilitators from the Council on Undergraduate Research and mentoring between COPLAC campuses, we hope to advance each college’s program.”

UNC Asheville is a suitable host for the June meeting, having founded the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). For the past 25 years, NCUR has held a national conference each April where thousands of the country’s most promising undergraduate students present original research on a vast array of topics. The annual NCUR conference rotates among member campuses and features plenary sessions led by distinguished faculty as well as leaders in non-academic life. The June workshop at UNC Asheville, in contrast, is a working session for faculty and administration to further expand and strengthen undergraduate research programs.

Among those representing UNC Asheville at the COPLAC undergraduate research workshop will be Rebecca Hale, assistant professor of biology; Janine Haugh, assistant professor of mathematics; Christopher Oakley, lecturer in multimedia arts and sciences; and Keith Krumpe, dean of natural sciences and team leader.

ASHEVILLE, NC – For a patriotic evening with friends and family enjoy an “All American” picnic style dinner! This special train will depart from the Bryson City Depot at 8 pm. Make sure to arrive early to Bryson City and enjoy live music at the depot and local craftsmanship. Have your picture taken with Uncle Sam as the train travels to the historic town of Dillsboro. Shops and retailers will be open for fantastic finds. Enjoy your front row seat in the quaint town of Dillsboro to view your private fireworks show with no rushing, no traffic worries just the enjoyment of this once of a lifetime patriotic celebration. Tickets start at $61,for Adults, children 2-12 $39.

For more information, contact Great Smoky Mountains Railroad– 1-800-872-4681, http://www.gsmr.com.

ASHEVILLE, NC – When the Tiffany at Biltmore exhibition opens this summer, lovers of art, antiques and gardens will encounter a feast for the senses.

The exhibition of 45 stained-glass lamps and eight photomurals will fill The Biltmore Legacy exhibition hall. In addition to viewing the renowned lamps, guests can take in Tiffany-inspired landscapes and designs around the estate created for the exhibition.

The exhibition, known as “Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art,” comes to Biltmore from The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass in New York City. It is an in-depth look at the Tiffany Studios’ efforts to produce lamps that balance artistry with utility and profitability. It features 45 stunning lamps in an array of colors, sizes and decorative styles, and includes tools, materials and period photographs to demonstrate how the lamps were made.

One of America’s most celebrated artists and designers, Tiffany was an established tastemaker in the late 19th century. He catered to the wealthiest patrons, including both friends and family of George and Edith Vanderbilt. Though also noted for his skills in painting, decorative arts, and interior design, it was Tiffany’s experimentation with stained glass that brought him lasting fame.

Tiffany and fellow artist John La Farge revolutionized the stained glass medium by incorporating three-dimensional design elements into their works. George Vanderbilt’s, father William H. Vanderbilt, commissioned La Farge to create several stained-glass windows for his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City in 1879. Three of these extraordinary windows will be featured in the exhibition alongside Tiffany’s creations.

Tiffany in the Gardens

Louis Comfort Tiffany’s use of botanicals and love of nature have inspired Biltmore’s horticulture team to create interpretations of Tiffany’s iconic dragonfly lamp series. Four dragonflies – one in each of the diamond-shaped patterned beds in the Walled Garden – will be created from flowers and foliage planted and designed to resemble stained glass. Each dragonfly design will span 40 feet and will take more than 12,000 plants to create. Plant selection is based on what will best mimic the colors and hues of Tiffany stained glass.

The team will also build a six-foot-tall, 24-foot-long “living wall” of flowering plants and greenery that resembles a stained-glass window. It will be located at the Conservatory.

“It’s a way of coming full circle,” said Parker Andes, Biltmore’s director of horticulture. “We’ve created seasonal designs in a display inspired by Tiffany lamps that were, in fact, inspired by flowers and nature.”

Large, Tiffany-style lamp shade planters filled with colorful blooms will adorn the sidewalks of Antler Hill Village, where the exhibition will be held. Doc Cudd, Biltmore’s blacksmith, created the wrought-iron lamp posts with framing for the flowers. Stained-glass artist John Orlich of Asheville created decorative plant stakes with stained-glass dragonflies and butterflies to place around the village and the Walled Garden.

Biltmore House

When guests enter Biltmore House during the exhibition’s run, they’ll walk under a large arbor hanging over the front door. It will feature glass grapes and botanical touches, inspired by some of Tiffany’s most well-known pieces. The floral team will turn the center fountain in the Winter Garden into a “growing” lamp using tropical plants accented by shallow water gardens to create an exotic atmosphere. Special floral arrangements will be placed throughout the home’s first floor rooms.

Opening Weekend

Antler Hill Village will be the central location for Tiffany at Biltmore Opening Weekend, set for July 1 through 3. Demonstrations in glass blowing and stained glass will take place throughout the weekend, with live music by the Firecracker Jazz Band, face painting, kids’ crafts, a balloon artist and a caricature artist.

The Tiffany exhibition runs July 1 through Oct. 23, and will be included in daily admission to Biltmore. For more information, please visit www.biltmore.com.

ASHEVILLE, NC – For those of you waiting patiently for MoogFest Spaceman to make his glorious return, the time is now! Check out the new video announcing the second round of fantastic new acts for our second Moogfest lineup announcement! So hold on to your spacesuits, Moogheads, we’ve got some seriously awesome additions!

Joining the lineup will be Moby (with full band!) , Amon Tobin – bringing his incredible ISAM: Live that debuted at Mutek in June, Dan Deacon, Kode9, The Antlers, Atlas Sound, Glasser, Beak> (a second project from Portishead’s Geoff Barrow), Stickmen (Tony Levin & Pat Mastelotto of King Crimson fame), Lunzproject, a rare live performance by two greatly influential musicians, Tim Story and Hans Joachim-Roedelius, and Wham City Comedy Tour. And needless to say, there are many stellar additions to come!

The final Moogfest 2011 lineup will ultimately feature performances by over 60 internationally acclaimed artists in numerous venues throughout downtown, including the Asheville Civic Center Arena, the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, and world-renowned Orange Peel Social & Pleasure Club. The festival will also host workshops, talks, interactive experiences and art exhibitions and installations.

WAYNESVILLE, NC – Folkmoot USA, The State International Festival of North Carolina, is a two-week celebration of the world’s cultural heritage through folk music and dance. Held each summer across the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Folkmoot features performances, a parade and workshops by up to 350 performers from ten to twelve countries. The festival takes place this year from July 21-31.

Performers demonstrate cultural heritage through colorful, authentic and original reproduction costumes, lively dance and traditional music. During its 27-year history, over 200 folk groups from more than 100 countries have shared their heritage and culture at the Folkmoot Festival.

The Folkmoot Festival features public performances at venues throughout Western North Carolina in the towns of Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Canton, Clyde, Bryson City, Cullowhee, Asheville, Burnsville, Marion, Mars Hill, Flat Rock, Stecoah, Franklin, and new in 2011–Hickory, NC. Also, for the first time in 28 years of Folkmoot, a performance will take place outside of North Carolina in Jonesborough, TN!

Other events held during the Festival include: Parade of Nations and Folkmoot 5K Run/Walk and Kid’s Fun Run. International Festival Day–for information and vendor applications call Haywood County Arts Council, 828-452-0593 or see their website: www.haywoodarts.org. All take place in Waynesville, NC.

Folkmoot USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures through traditional dance and music. To make a donation in support of our mission, please call the offices at 828-452-2997.

ALL TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Purchase early for best available seats by calling toll-free 877-365-5872. Countries invited to perform in the 2011 Festival are: Italy, Trinidad, Finland, Guadeloupe, Turkey, China, Croatia, Puerto Rico, Burundi and the USA group, American Racket. (This list is subject to change over the coming months as visa application processes are ongoing.)

ASHEVILLE, NC – Bele Chere is made possible by volunteers. Volunteering at the festival is a great way to help your community while meeting people and having fun. Volunteers are welcome to sign up as pairs, groups, or individuals as long as you are energetic and friendly.. Festival volunteers receive a t-shirt and snacks during their shift. Most of the volunteer shifts are 3.5 hour slots. We encourage you to sign up for as many shifts as you would like. We thank you for taking the time to review the volunteer opportunities below:

Children’s Area:
Volunteers in this area will be assisting children with themed based arts and crafts projects.Information Booth:
Information Booth volunteers will work in pairs, and are responsible for aiding festival visitors by answering commonly asked questions and passing out information. All Information Booths will be equipped with the following items: official festival guides, pocket festival guides, and maps. Information Booths are placed in areas that provide optimal festival coverage. If you are a talker and know your way around town- this is the place for you! Be sure to wear cool clothing, as the information booths are small and become warm quickly.

Roving Information:
Roving Information volunteers are responsible to for aiding festival goers with information needs while walking around the festival. Roving Information volunteers will work in pairs, and be equipped with official festival guides, pocket guides, and maps. This job requires a lot of time in the sun, so be sure to bring lots of sunscreen, wear lightweight clothing, and drink plenty of water.